London could experience an outbreak of legionnaires' disease with potentially "catastrophic consequences" for people's health because of poor management of cooling towers and evaporative condensers near busy transport hubs and Olympic venues, according to a leaked Health and Safety Executive (HSE) report.
The stark warning is contained in a report by the HSE detailing the results of inspections for the presence of the legionella bacteria, which causes the disease, at 62 sites around the capital, carried out by its inspectors as part of the safety preparations for this summer's Olympic Games.
Inspectors visited sites "within two kilometres of London-based Olympic venues and certain major travel hubs, namely Heathrow airport, London City airport, London Bridge station and St Pancras train station", as well as all sites under the HSE's remit in the central London borough of Westminster, according to the report entitled Olympic Legionella Project, dated "spring/summer 2012".

Poor management of cooling towers and evaporative condensers could lead to a ‘catastrophic’ legionella outbreak in London, according to a Health and Safety Executive project report obtained by EHN.

The report, which was commissioned in the run up to the London Olympics, found that 73 per cent of cooling towers and evaporative condensers near Olympic venues and travel hubs in the capital required enforcement notices or advice.

‘The headline to arise from this project is the poor level of compliance,’ it states.

It warns an outbreak in London would be far worse than the legionella outbreak in Edinburgh in June, where over 100 people were infected and three people died.

‘[An outbreak in London] will have catastrophic consequences compared to Edinburgh given it is the area with the most footfall within the country,’ the report states.

An outbreak in Stoke-on-Trent in July linked to a hot tub display led to 21 infections and two deaths.

HSE inspectors found that compliance rates were worse in the public sector than the private sector, with 77 percent of cooling towers and evaporative condensers requiring enforcement notices or advice.

The report points to the widespread outsourcing of facilities management in the public sector and calls for ‘better monitoring’.

‘In many public sector organisations in London, the management of wet cooling towers and evaporative condensers is subcontracted to facilities management companies. It is disappointing that issues have been found at such sites given it is their specialism. This is compounded by the high turnover of facilities management companies,’ says the report.

It says most of the public sector sites visited during the project would not normally be proactively inspected as they are deemed low risk by the government.

‘Most if not all of these public sector organisations […] are deemed low risk. They would not have been subject to a proactive inspection,’ says the report. ‘Given the type of work undertaken, they are unlikely to have appeared on the radar as a poor performer. They would not have been inspected had it not been for the Olympics coming to London.’

Nearly all the sites visited used water treatment companies but the report claims some firms are inadequate.

‘Taken together with the increased turnover of facilities management firms leading to management responsibilities changing it could be speculated that scenarios are occurring where an outbreak could happen,’ the report says.

The report, which was completed in July, calls for the findings of the project to be publicised through trade publications and professional associations. However this did not happen.
The project team identified 106 sites near Olympic venues and travel hubs in London. There were 62 HSE enforced sites and nine sites enforced by councils. There were 31 decommissioned sites and four in embassies where enforcement is a ‘grey area’.

Hugh Pennington, emeritus professor of bacteriology at the University of Aberdeen, told EHN that the report was a 'wake up call' and should have been published.

‘A great pity that the HSE Olympic Project Report has not yet been published. It is a powerful wake-up call for action to rectify the long list of deficiencies found regarding the management of the legionella risk from cooling towers, particularly in the public sector. But for the grace of God there hasn't been an outbreak in London - yet. Urgent action is needed. Legionella kills, but it is preventable,’ he said.

Andrew Watterson, director of the Centre for Public Health and Population Health Research at the University of Stirling, said the government’s distinction between low-risk and high-risk workplaces made little sense.

‘Legionella can present a threat to diverse populations in towns and major cities, the numbers of people who could be affected are very large indeed and the consequences very serious – with both death and serious life-changing illnesses sometimes resulting. With legionella the categorisations of low-risk and high-risk workplaces therefore make little sense,’ he said.
Graham Jukes, CIEH chief executive, said the report painted a worrying picture.

'This report paints a worrying picture about compliance with basic maintenance in the capital especially in the light of recent tragic and high profile legionella outbreaks. In the light of severe public sector resource constraint HSE and local authority EHPs must find more effective ways other than inspection in getting the message out to business that they are responsible for maintaining safe systems of work and for protecting others from harm. It is they who will be held to account for failures and any subsequent tragic consequences,' he said.

The HSE told EHN talk of a catastrophic outbreak was unfounded.

‘This was a comment made by the inspector, who drafted the report, based on speculation and personal opinion. It is not one that is backed up by research or evidence,’ said a spokesperson.

The HSE said formal enforcement action in the form of notices was required at fewer than 10 per cent of the sites visited.

‘Most of this enforcement related to the provision of safe means of access for staff and contractors involved in the monitoring and maintenance of the cooling towers and evaporative condensers, rather than being related directly to legionella management. Verbal and written advice is generally given where it has been identified that improvements can be made and standards raised, but where people are not being put at serious risk,’ said a spokesperson.

The HSE said it was not possible draw any conclusions about the levels of compliance in the public sector as compared with the private sector

‘The inspections in London found some common failings across all sectors in the control of legionella,’ said the spokesperson.

The HSE said research into the outsourcing of facilities management in the public sector was ‘not the purpose of the report’ and claimed ‘there is insufficient information and evidence to draw any conclusions on this issue’.

The HSE said the final report will be made publically available.

‘The final report will be published. Earlier internal drafts were prepared, but as is normal for any publication these have been subject to review, fact checking and further iteration so we can be sure the information published is sufficiently robust and accurate,’ said the spokesperson.

Legionella bacteria, which causes legionnaires’ disease, is found in purpose-built water systems such as cooling towers, evaporative condensers and whirlpool spas. It can grow to dangerous levels in warm conditions and is spread by breathable droplets of water.

Smokers, heavy drinkers and anyone with an impaired immune system or respiratory disease are at particular risk.

20 de nov de 2012

San Francisco (Tuesday, Nov. 13, 2012) - An architect responsible for transforming Brazil’s built environment has been presented with the second annual World Green Building Council (WorldGBC) David Gottfried Global Green Building Entrepreneurship Award.
With more than half a century working in the construction industry, Professor Siegbert Zanettini is a pioneer in the use of new clean technologies and building systems.
Presenting the award, founder of the WorldGBC and U.S. Green Building Council, David Gottfried said that “Professor Zanettini was selected for his distinguished lifetime contribution to the development and growth of Brazil’s sustainable construction sector. Professor Zanettini has worked on more than 1,200 projects, from offices and schools, to hospitals and sports arenas, and his sustainability principles are now widely used throughout the region.”
The award was presented during the annual WorldGBC and Lend Lease reception, held as part of the U.S. Green Building Council’s Greenbuild International Conference and Expo. This year marks the tenth anniversary since the WorldGBC’s establishment in 2002.
Speaking at the cocktail reception, Lend Lease’s Group Head of Sustainability, Joe Van Belleghem, said: “Lend Lease has proudly partnered with the World Green Building Council for five years to co-host this event, which honors the outstanding contributions being made by our green building leaders. Mr Zanettini is a well-deserved recipient of this prestigious award for demonstrating that buildings can be high-performing, comfortable, healthy and environmentally-sustainable spaces.”
“The global green building industry currently represents more than 20,000 companies in 92 nations. Today, we have more than 10 billion square feet of green registered space around the world, and Professor Zanettini’s contribution to this achievement cannot be understated,” said the Chief Executive Officer of the WorldGBC, Jane Henley.
“This award recognizes that Professor Zanettini has challenged the property and construction industry to strive for higher sustainability standards not only in Brazil, but throughout the world,” Ms Henley concludes.DAVID GOTTFRIED GLOBAL GREEN BUILDING ENTREPRENEURSHIP AWARDThe David Gottfried Global Green Building Entrepreneurship Award was named in honor of the founder of the WorldGBC, who also served as the first president of the U.S. Green Building Council and was one of the founders of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) green building rating system. The award was presented in 2011 to David Gottfried, and is now an annual award honoring lifetime achievement and contributions to the development and growth of the green building industry through leadership, dedication and innovation.WORLD GREEN BUILDING COUNCILEstablished in 2002, the World Green Building Council (WorldGBC) is the world’s largest organisation influencing the sustainable built environment. The WorldGBC connect the leaders of the green building movement and, through the 20,000 organisations it represents, is creating sustainable buildings, communities and cities. By collaborating with its 92 member green building councils, the WorldGBC fosters the growth of GBCs by providing them with the systems and strategies to transform their local markets. The WorldGBC drives collaboration between international governments and not-for-profit organisations, advocates green building policies and provides a common voice for a growing industry. Visit: www.worldgbc.org

31 de out de 2012

Today’s tip: Legionnaire’s disease is still a threat, and facility managers should have a plan to combat it.

Legionnaire’s Disease does not make headlines the way it used to. But that does not mean the pneumonia caused by the bacteria, legionella, is no longer a risk. According to the Centers for Disease Control, between 8,000 and 10,000 people wind up in the hospital every year because of legionella. And those numbers may well underestimate the extent of the problem, says CDC, because many cases are either not diagnosed or not reported. Summer is the biggest problem time, but the illness can strike 12 months of the year. And Legionnaire’s Disease is a serious condition, leading to death in 5 to 30 percent of cases, according to CDC.

People contract the disease by inhaling a mist or vapor contaminated with legionella. Sources of the problem include plumbing systems, cooling towers, humidifiers, whirlpools, fountains and mist machines.

The only way to determine if legionella is present is to test the water, says Matthew Frieje, president of HC Info. The bacteria can be present in well-maintained systems, not just systems that are poorly maintained, he says.

Facility managers should take steps to ensure that their facilities’ water systems do not become breeding grounds for legionella. The World Health Organization recommends developing a water safety plan to evaluate risks of exposure to legionella. A water safety plan assesses hazards and ranks them in order of priority. It also calls for ongoing operational monitoring of control measures, such as the use of biocides, the prevention of stagnant water and the keeping of water temperature outside of the range in which legionella grows the best, to the extent possible. Legionella grows best in water temperatures between 20 C (68 F) and 50 C (122 F)

30 de out de 2012

Phigenics, LLC has again achieved the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, (CDC) Environmental Legionella Isolation Techniques Evaluation (ELITE) certification for the detection, recovery and enumeration of Legionella in water samples. Phigenics has successfully passed the two rounds of proficiency testing necessary to obtain this recertification. Phigenics was one of the first commercial labs to achieve this certification in 2009.

The Phigenics Validation Test (PVT) is a field method for the quantitative determination of viable Legionella and total heterotrophic aerobic bacteria. This method has been proven reliable for determining viable cell concentrations of Legionella pneumophila, Legionella species and total heterotrophic aerobic bacteria. In comparison to standard methods, the new protocol has been shown to be more accurate, faster and more convenient.

Measuring viable Legionella and other bacteria using standard culture methods requires shipment of water samples to an analytical laboratory. The results typically take 12-14 days which can leave facilities in a holding pattern. The shipment of water samples can cause unpredictable changes. In some water samples, viable bacteria increase during transit and in other samples they decrease. When the facility receives their Legionella results, these challenges can make interpretation and decision-making difficult.

The patents pending Phigenics Validation Test (PVT) completely eliminates the need to ship water samples, thereby giving more reliable data about the water system. The PVT is a field sampling protocol to obtain viable cell counts (CFU/ml) for total heterotrophic aerobic bacteria, Legionella pneumophila (serogroup 1 and serogroups 2-14) and all non-pneumophila Legionella species. Data is obtained for the exact moment when the PVT Field sampler contacts the water sample, which means shipment of water samples to a laboratory is not required. Additionally, the time required to obtain results is reduced 75-80% compared to the Standard Method for Legionella.

27 de out de 2012

Bacteria can very rarely lead to Legionnaires' disease. Problem discovered during routine water testing.

Bacteria that in rare instances may cause Legionnaires' disease have been found in one shower head in both the boys and girls freshmen locker rooms at Oak Park and River Forest High School, school officials said Friday afternoon.

The bacteria were discovered during a water-quality test the school was conducting as part of a new maintenance program, the school announced Friday afternoon via an email to families. Superintendent Steven Isoye stressed that there have been no cases of Legionnaires' disease found among students or staff.

"This morning we were notified that traces of Legionella bacteria were found. …We immediately isolated and closed these showers. As a precautionary measure, we also closed the other showers as well, until we could thoroughly consult with experts about the appropriate next steps," Isoye said.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Legionella bacteria are commonly found in water. It grows best in warm water and in places such as hot tubs, cooling towers or large plumbing systems. Air-conditioning systems in large buildings are known to carry the bacteria, according to the CDC. Legionnaires' disease, a respiratory illness, is caused by the bacteria, but most people exposed to the bacteria do not become ill.

24 de out de 2012

A free standing cold water humidifier was linked to a
Legionella (Lp1) infection in an infant that had for six weeks also been
receiving corticosteroid treatment for shortness of breath and wheezing. The
humidifier had been filled with tap water and not regularly cleaned. The infant
was admitted to the hospital in February this year due to high fever, cough,
wheezing, and vomiting, and died two weeks later despite antibiotic treatment.
The report is posted at http://www.eurosurveillance.org/ViewArticle.aspx?ArticleId=20293.

15 de out de 2012

Legionnaires’ disease bacteria have been found in the water at the Seneca Towers apartment complex, apparently leading to at least two known cases of the illness.Residents at the high-rise apartment building at 200 Seth Green Drive have been told not to use the water because of the positive testing.“To reduce potential health risks to residents,” said Jeffrey Hammond, a spokesman for the New York State Department of Health, “the facility has implemented infection control measures on the recommendation of the state and county health departments, which include a number of water-use restrictions.”

26 de set de 2012

Blaines, Spain, Sept. 2012 As of late September, a total of 11 males and 3 females ranging from 47 to 82 years of age have contracted Legionnaires' in Blaines, Spain. Several patients were hospitalized but responded well to treatment.Major Outbreak in Quebec City, July-Sept 2012 A total of 180 people contracted Legionnaires' disease from July through mid September, 13 of whom have died. A cooling tower at an office building was declared by authorities to be the source of the outbreak based on finding identical Legionella strains in the tower and several patients.Chicago hotel, July-Aug 2012 Ten people who visited or stayed at a downtown Chicago hotel between mid-July and mid-August contracted Legionnaires' disease, three of whom have since died. A decorative fountain in the hotel's main lobby is the suspected source.Stoke-on-Trent, England, hot tub, 19 cases, July 2012 Investigators believe that a hot tub in a store is the probable source of a Legionnaires' outbreak in Stoke-on-Trent based on water test results and epidemiologic evidence. As of today, 19 cases have been confirmed, 8 patients are still hospitalized, and one person has died. Major outbreak in Scotland, May-July 2012Between the end of May and mid July, a total of 101 confirmed or suspected cases of Legionnaires' disease were identified in Edinburgh. Three men who had underlying health conditions have died. The investigators suspected a cooling tower in a densely populated area of the city but have not been able to confirm a source. Restaurant in Spain, 25 cases, June 2012Based on epidemiologic evidence, investigators determined a restaurant in Mostoles (near Madrid) to be the probable source of 12 confirmed and 13 possible cases of Legionnaires' disease that occurred in late June. The 18 men and 7 women ranged from 35 to 87 years of age. The restaurant was allowed by authorities to remain open for business. The report did not mention a suspected water system.Auckland, New Zealand, 16 Cases, Feb-May 2012Sixteen cases of Legionnaires' disease have been identified in Auckland, New Zealand since late February. Two persons have died, both of whom had underlying illness. Because the outbreak was widely dispersed and the investigators had no obvious links, the Auckland Regional Public Health Service issued a press release asking operators of commercial and industrial buildings to shock dose cooling towers. More than 600 cooling towers were disinfected. A definite link between cooling towers and the outbreak has not been established.Hotel in Spain, 14 Cases, 3 Deaths, Jan-Feb 2012A four-star hotel in Calpe was temporarily closed and its water systems disinfected after Legionnaires' disease was reported in several guests. A total of 14 cases have been identified. At least nine persons were hospitalized and three have died. The deaths occurred on January 26 and 31 and February 2.Hotel in Albany, NY, 6 Cases, Sept-Dec 2011Laboratory tests confirmed Legionnaires' disease in six persons who had stayed at the same hotel in Albany, NY between September and December. All six have recovered. Legionella was found in the hotel's plumbing system, which was to be flushed on February 5th. An additional two cases were identified in guests who stayed at the same hotel in May 2012. The hotel voluntarily closed after those cases were reported.Hotel in Las Vegas, 3 Cases, 2011 and 2012Legionnaires' disease was confirmed in three people who stayed at a resort in Las Vegas. The first two cases were reported in Spring 2011; both recovered. The third case, reported January 2012, has died. According to the Southern Nevada Health District, Legionella was not found in water samples collected after the first two cases were reported but was found in samples tested last month. A hotel spokesperson said the water systems were superheated and hyperchlorinated immediately after the water test results were reported. Sources: 8newsnow.com and huffingtonpost.comTravelers to Greece, 9 cases, Aug.-Oct. 2011 Nine cases of LD have been identified in the UK among people who had traveled to the Greek island Corfu since August. UK and Greek public health officials are investigating potential sources in both the UK and Corfu. Pittsburgh nursing homes, 10 cases, Sept. 2011 In September the Allegheny County (Pennsylvania) Health Department initiated an investigation of the domestic water systems in two nursing homes where a total of 10 cases of Legionnaires' disease were identified. Three of the cases required hospitalization but no deaths were reported. Source: pittsburghlive.com. Hotel in Ocean City, MD, 3 cases, Sept. 2011A hotel in Ocean City, Maryland relocated its guests to other Ocean City hotels and closed early for the season, on September 29th, after the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH) reported three cases of Legionnaires' disease among people who had stayed there. Each of the three cases developed Legionnaires' symptoms about a week after their stay at the hotel and were hospitalized. Hamilton, Ontario, 4 cases, Aug.-Sept. 2011Health officials are investigating four cases of Legionnaires' disease, the first of which was reported in mid August and the other three since Sept. 22, to determine whether there is a common source. The investigators focused on cooling towers located on the east side of the city. Source: thespec.com UK hospital, Aug. 2011In August the UK's Health and Safety Executive, as well as the police, investigated a fatal case of Legionnaires' disease that occurred in a patient of an Essex hospital where three other patients died from Legionella infections in the last nine years. Three cases were identified at the hospital in 2010, one of which was fatal. The hospital said that it has been disinfecting and monitoring its plumbing system since the first case of Legionnaires' was identified there in 2002. Sources: basildonrecorder.co.uk and bbc.co.uk Travelers to Italy, 17 cases, July-Aug. 2011Seventeen cases of Legionnaires' disease were reported in travelers who stayed at two campsites and three hotels in Lazise, Italy between early July and the end of August. Their ages ranged from 42 to 78 years. Sixteen of the cases were confirmed by urinary antigen tests. None of the cases resulted in death. The cases were discovered through the European Legionnaires' Disease Surveillance Network (ELDSNet). Shredding plant workers, July 2011The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) recently investigated five cases of Legionnaires' Disease in workers at a shredding plant in upstate New York. The last of the five cases was identified in July. Legionella was found in water samples collected from several pools of standing water, in water dripping from the shredder (Water is used for cooling and lubrication in the shredders.), and on swabs of a conveyor belt. The investigators believed that standing water was the source of contamination. All the workers who were Legionella-positive worked around standing water or near a conveyor. The NIOSH report, dated July 22, 2011, recommended that all standing water be eliminated in the facility and on the grounds, that workers in the areas where cases occurred wear respirators, and that conveyors be disinfected with chlorine. Source: Times-Shamrock Las Vegas hotel, July 2011Legionnaires' disease was reported in guests of a hotel on the Las Vegas strip this month. Health officials investigated the same hotel last year after reports of the disease. Legionella was found in the hot water system in several guest rooms. Cleveland nursing home, 3 cases, June 2011Three residents of a Cleveland nursing and rehab facility were hospitalized with Legionnaires' disease in June. The facility provided bottled drinking water and restricted showers until the water system was disinfected. Source: cleveland.com New Zealand, 3 cases, April 2011 Three New Zealand men who worked near one another contracted Legionnaires' disease in April. Health officials focused their investigation on cooling towers. Source: radionz.co.nz Hotel in Scotland, Mar. 2011A hotel in Scotland closed its an indoor heated pool and spa and other "leisure club" facilities in March after employees and guests reported flu-like symptoms. One person was hospitalized with confirmed Legionnaires' disease. In all, 112 people contracted a flu-like illness with respiratory infection. Playboy mansion, Feb. 2011According to the Los Angeles County Health Department, about 200 people who attended a February 3rd fundraiser at the Playboy Mansion were infected by Legionella bacteria. Four of them contracted Legionnaires' disease; the rest had Pontiac fever, a flu-like illness that lasts about three days. News reports mentioned a fog machine at the event. [Pontiac fever has a much higher attack rate than does Legionnaires' disease, > 90% as opposed to < 5%, and a shorter incubation period, usually 6-48 hours as opposed to 2-14 days. -- mrf] Ohio hospital, 4 cases, Feb. 2011 Four heart patients of a new hospital in Ohio were diagnosed with confirmed Legionnaires' disease this month, three of whom have been discharged. The hospital is investigating the plumbing system in its new patient tower, which began admitting patients in late December. Eye clinic in UK, 3 cases, Jan. 2011 An outpatient eye clinic operated at a hospital in the UK was closed for the first three weeks of this year after a staff member and two of its patients were diagnosed with Legionnaires' disease. The results of the investigation were not reported. Source: Ealing Gazette Hotels in Virgin Islands, March 2010-Aug 2011It was announced in December that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) linked five Legionnaires' disease cases reported between March 2010 and August 2011 to two hotels in Saint Thomas. All five persons required hospitalization but recovered.

25 de set de 2012

19 de set de 2012

At a hotel in Grantville, one person and possibly more have been infected by bacteria that cause the deadly Legionnaires’ disease. A source at the Pennsylvania Department of Health is confident that recent guests who may have been exposed toLegionellabacteriahave been notified and that “… there is no reason to believe there is a general risk to the community.”

People with Legionnaires’ disease, also known asLegionellosis, are generally infected after inhaling airborne particles containing the bacteria. When large water systems are poorly maintained,Legionellacan quickly breed and contaminate components such as faucets and showers or even hot tubs and central air conditioning systems. Though the bacteria can be detected with a simple water test, many buildings have not implemented testing guidelines.

Up to 30 percent of Legionnaires’ disease can result in death according to the Centers for Disease Control. When antibiotic treatment is delayed, fatalities can reach up to 50 percent.

18 de set de 2012

Primary Care Dentists & Legionella Control

Second Element provides vital advice and control measures to ensure the health and safety of dental staff and patients by controlling legionella bacteria within dental unit water lines.
Richard Danielson, Director of Second Element, said research at the Centre for Applied Microbiology and Research, Porton Down, showed that of 55 water samples from dental surgeries in the south-west of England, 52 samples failed the European Union drinking-water safety standards.
Water lines were found to contain bacteria including legionella. Oral streptococci, normally present in the oral cavity, was found in 10% of the samples tested. Studies have shown that up to 25% cent of DUWLs are contaminated with legionella and 95% of water in general dental practice DUWLs fails current EU potable-water guidelines on microbial load.
Legionella bacteria can be transmitted to dental staff and patients by inhalation of contaminated water droplets or aerosol generated by water-cooled high speed dental instruments. It is therefore essential to ensure that the water used during dental procedures is of a quality that does not pose any threat or risk to health to either staff or the patient.
All dental practices must perform a legionella risk assessment plus water quality testing performed. Each dental practice must also have a written document of procedures and measures to maintain the control of legionella. This must be devised by a competent person who can be a member of the Legionella Control Association.